Natural. Rock star. Outsider. In the 80s, race car driver Tim Richmond lived his life the way he raced cars – wide open. Born into a wealthy family, Richmond was the antithesis of the Southern, blue-collar, dirt-track racers who dominated NASCAR. He also was a flamboyant showman who basked in the attention of the media and fans – especially female admirers. Nevertheless, it was Richmond’s on-track performances that ended up drawing comparisons to racing legends. And in 1986, when he won seven NASCAR races and finished third in the Winston Cup series points race, some believed he was on the verge of stardom. But soon his freewheeling lifestyle caught up to him. He unexpectedly withdrew from the NASCAR racing circuit, reportedly suffering from double pneumonia. In reality he had AIDS. Richmond returned to the track in 1987, but he was gone from the sport by the next year as his health deteriorated. He spent his final days as a recluse, dying on August 13, 1989, at the age of 34.

Talentueux et rebelle, dans les années 80, le pilote de course Tim Richmond est au sommet de sa carrière. Né dans une famille aisée, Richmond ne ressemble en rien aux autres pilotes de NASCAR. Il est parfaitement à l'aise devant les médias et ses fans, particulièrement ses admiratrices féminines. Mais ce sont les résultats de Richmond sur la piste qui le font entrer dans la légende. En 1986, quand il remporte sept courses et finit 3e à la Winston Cup, on le considère comme une superstar. Mais ses écarts de conduite ne tardent pas à le rattraper et il doit se retirer de la piste à cause d'une pneumonie. Mais en réalité, son diagnostic est bien plus grave : il a le sida. Richmond retourne sur la piste en 1987, avant de quitter le sport l'année suivante à cause de sa santé. Il vit ses dernières années comme un reclus et meurt le 13 août 1989, à l'âge de 34 ans.

Tim Richmond viveu muito rápido, festejou muito e morreu muito jovem. Um dos 50 maiores pilotos da NASCAR de todos os tempos, sua inesperada saída do mundo das corridas criou rumores sobre sua saúde e uso potencial de drogas quando, na realidade, havia sido diagnosticado com AIDS.